Systems and methods for performing repairs to a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A system for instructing a user on repairing a vehicle configured to (i) receive, from the user, a request to repair a vehicle, including information about the vehicle; (ii) present, to the user via a user computer device, a user interface to allow the user to search for a repair facility to repair the vehicle; (iii) receive, from the user via the user interface, a selection of a repair facility; (iv) determine whether the selected repair facility is a select service location, where a select service location is a pre-authorized repair facility; and (v) if the selected repair facility is a select service location, transfer the information about the vehicle to a computer device associated with the selected repair facility.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No.16/169,547, filed Oct. 24, 2018, entitled, “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORPERFORMING REPAIRS TO A VEHICLE,” which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Pat. Application No. 62/576,704, filed Oct. 25, 2017,entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING REPAIRS TO A VEHICLE,” theentire contents and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to repairing damage to a vehicle and,more particularly, to a network-based system and method for instructinga user on repairing a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

In most cases of damage to a vehicle, the damage must be reviewed by anindividual, such as an appraiser, to determine a cost to repair thedamage. This may be done to inform the owner of the vehicle on how muchit will cost to repair, or to inform an insurance provider of the costto repair. In order to determine the cost to repair the owner of thevehicle must either transport the vehicle to the appraiser forinspection, or the appraiser must travel to the vehicle. Depending onthe amount of damage to the vehicle, it may not be worthwhile to requireeither the owner or the appraiser to travel for the inspection.Furthermore, in some cases the appraisers are repair shops that may ormay not have capacity to repair the vehicle at the time of theappraisal. Thus, after getting the appraisal, the owner may have toreturn with the vehicle or take it elsewhere to get it repaired. Thereexists a need to automate this process to reduce the need for travel andimprove the speed of this process.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present embodiments may relate to systems and methods forinstructing a user on repairing a vehicle. The system may include arepair assistant (RA) computer system, one or more insurer networkcomputer devices, one or more user devices potentially associated withat least one camera, and/or one or more repair facility computerdevices. The RA computer system may be associated with an insurancenetwork or may be merely in communication with an insurance network.

The RA computer system may be configured to: (i) receive, from the user,a request to repair a vehicle, including information about the vehicle,where the user interface is associated with an application on the usercomputer device, and where the user logs into the application to makethe request to repair, where the information about the vehicle includesone or more of a make of the vehicle, a model of the vehicle, a year ofthe vehicle, a location of the damage on the vehicle, identification ofthe vehicle, identification of the user, and one or more photographs ofthe vehicle; (ii) in response to the request to repair, transmit, to theuser computer device, a link to the user interface, where the link istransmitted in at least one of a short message service (SMS) message, amultimedia messaging server (MMS) message, and an email message; (iii)present, to the user via the user computer device, a user interface toallow the user to search for a repair facility to repair the vehicle;(iv) receive, from the user via the user interface, a search requestincluding a name of a repair facility; (v) request that the user reenterthe name of the repair facility if the name is not recognized; (vi)query one or more databases to recognize the repair facility based onthe name; (vii) if the name is recognized, retrieve, from the one ormore databases, facility information about the repair facility; (viii)determine, via the one or more databases, whether the repair facility isa select service location based on the facility information; (ix)receive, from the user via the user interface, a search location for arepair facility, where the search location includes at least one of anaddress, a zip code, a municipality, and a present location of the usercomputer device; (x) query, one or more databases, to determine aplurality of repair facilities within a predetermined distance of thesearch location; (xi) filter the plurality of repair facilities togenerate a subset of repair facilities, where the subset of repairfacilities are select service locations; (xii) present, to the user viathe user interface, the subset of repair facilities; (xiii) receive,from the user via the user interface, a selection of one of the repairfacilities of the subset of repair facilities; (xiv) determine whetherthe selected repair facility is a select service location, where aselect service location is a pre-authorized repair facility; (xv) if theselected repair facility is a select service location, the at least oneprocessor is further programmed to: (a) transfer the information aboutthe vehicle to a computer device associated with the selected repairfacility; (b) request that the user upload one or more photographs of atleast one of the vehicle and the damage to the vehicle; (c) receive theone or more photographs from the user computer device; and/or (d)transmit the one or more photographs to the selected repair facility;and/or (xvi) if the selected repair facility is not a select servicelocation, the at least one processor is further programmed to: (a)request, from the user via the user interface, drivability informationincluding whether or not the vehicle is able to be safely driven; (b) ifthe determination is that the vehicle is not able to be safely driven,schedule a phone call to continue the repair process; and/or (c) if thedetermination is that the vehicle is able to be safely driven, the atleast one processor is further programmed to: (1) present, to the uservia the user interface, a search interface to search for an inspectionsite; (2) receive, from the user via the user interface, a selection ofan inspection site; (3) present, to the user via the user interface, acalendar to allow the user to set an appointment with the inspectionsite; and/or (4) determine an appointment based on the user selectionsin the user interface and appointment information from a computer deviceassociated with the selected inspection site.

In one aspect, a computer system for instructing a user on repairing avehicle may be provided. The computer system may include at least oneprocessor (and/or associated transceiver) in communication with at leastone memory device. The computer system is in communication with a usercomputer device associated with the user The at least one processor(and/or associated transceiver) may be configured or programmed to: (i)receive, from the user, a request to repair a vehicle, includinginformation about the vehicle; (ii) present, to the user via the usercomputer device, a user interface to allow the user to search for arepair facility to repair the vehicle; (iii) receive, from the user viathe user interface, a selection of a repair facility; (iv) determinewhether the selected repair facility is a select service location, wherea select service location is a pre-authorized repair facility; and (v)if the selected repair facility is a select service location, transferthe information about the vehicle to a computer device associated withthe selected repair facility to facilitate quickly and efficientlyrepairing the vehicle. The computer system may have additional, less, oralternate functionality, including that discussed elsewhere herein.

In another aspect, a computer-implemented method for instructing a useron repairing a vehicle may be provided. The method may be implemented ona repair assistant (“RA”) computer system including at least oneprocessor in communication with at least one memory device. The RAcomputer system is further in communication with a user computer deviceassociated with the user. The method may include: (i) receiving, fromthe user, a request to repair a vehicle, including information about thevehicle; (ii) presenting, to the user via the user computer device, auser interface to allow the user to search for a repair facility torepair the vehicle; (ii) receiving, from user via the user interface, aselection of a repair facility; (iv) determining whether the selectedrepair facility is a select service location, where a select servicelocation is a pre-authorized repair facility; and (v) if the selectedrepair facility is a select service location, transferring theinformation about the vehicle to a computer device associated with theselected repair facility to facilitate quickly and efficiently repairingthe vehicle. The method may have additional, less, or alternatefunctionality, including that discussed elsewhere herein.

In at least one further aspect, at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructionsembodied thereon may be provided. When executed by at least oneprocessor, the computer-executable instructions may cause the processorto: (i) receive, from a user, a request to repair a vehicle, includinginformation about the vehicle; (ii) present, to the user via a usercomputer device, a user interface to allow the user to search for arepair facility to repair the vehicle; (iii) receive, from the user viathe user interface, a selection of a repair facility; (iv) determinewhether the selected repair facility is a select service location, wherea select service location is a pre-authorized repair facility; (v) ifthe selected repair facility is a select service location, transfer theinformation about the vehicle to a computer device associated with theselected repair facility; and (vi) if the selected repair facility isnot a select service location, the at least one processor is furtherprogrammed to: (a) request, from the user via the user interface,drivability information including whether or not the vehicle is able tobe safely driven; (b) if the determination is that the vehicle is notable to be safely driven, schedule a phone call to continue the repairprocess; and (c) if the determination is that the vehicle is able to besafely driven, the at least one processor is further programmed to: (1)present, to the user via the user interface, a search interface tosearch for an inspection site; and (2) receive, from the user via theuser interface, a selection of an inspection site to facilitate quicklyand efficiently repairing the vehicle. The computer-executableinstructions may have additional, less, or alternate functionality,including that discussed elsewhere herein.

Advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following description of the preferred embodiments which have beenshown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, thepresent embodiments may be capable of other and different embodiments,and their details are capable of modification in various respects.Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Figures described below depict various aspects of the systems andmethods disclosed therein. It should be understood that each Figuredepicts an embodiment of a particular aspect of the disclosed systemsand methods, and that each of the Figures is intended to accord with apossible embodiment thereof. Further, wherever possible, the followingdescription refers to the reference numerals included in the followingFigures, in which features depicted in multiple Figures are designatedwith consistent reference numerals.

There are shown in the drawings arrangements which are presentlydiscussed, it being understood, however, that the present embodimentsare not limited to the precise arrangements and are instrumentalitiesshown, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process of instructing auser in how and where to repair a vehicle, in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary computer-implementedprocess for one aspect of the process of instructing a user in how andwhere to repair a vehicle as shown in FIG. 1 , in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary computersystem for implementing the processes shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a user computer device,in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a server computerdevice, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of components of one or more exemplarycomputing devices that may be used in the system shown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of a user interface for allowing the user tosearch for a repair facility using the system shown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of a user interface for displaying a map withmultiple repair facilities for a user to choose from using the systemshown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 9 illustrates a view of a user interface for displaying aconfirmation to a user using the system shown in FIG. 3 .

The Figures depict preferred embodiments for purposes of illustrationonly. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the followingdiscussion that alternative embodiments of the systems and methodsillustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principlesof the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present embodiments may relate to, inter alia, systems and methodsfor instructing a user in how and where to repair a vehicle. In oneexemplary embodiment, the process may be performed by a repair assistant(“RA”) computer device. In the exemplary embodiment, the RA computerdevice may be in communication with a user computer device, such as amobile computer device, insurer network computer devices, one or morerepair facilities, and one or more inspection sites. In the exemplaryembodiment, the RA computer device is in communication with a usercomputer device, where the RA computer device transmits data to the usercomputer device to be displayed to the user and receives the user’sinputs from the user computer device.

In the exemplary embodiment, a user reports a loss. This loss may bedamage to a vehicle or other object, such as due to a vehicularaccident. In other examples, the damage may be due to random chance orMother Nature, such as hail damage or damage from a falling tree limb.In the exemplary embodiment, the user utilizes a user computer device,such as a mobile computer device, to report the loss. In the exemplaryembodiment, the user may utilize an application, or website, associatedwith an insurance provider to report the loss. In other embodiments, theuser may call an insurance agent to report the loss. In the exemplaryembodiment, the user provides information about the loss, such as, butnot limited to, the make, model, and/or year of the vehicle, thecircumstances surrounding the damage, location of the damage on thevehicle, identification of the vehicle, identification of the user, andquestions about the current condition of the vehicle. These questionsmay include, but are not limited to, does the hood open and closefreely, does the trunk open and close freely, do all of the doors openand close freely, does the vehicle appear to have any suspension damage,and are any fluids leaking. Additionally, the user indicates whether tonot he or she plans to repair vehicle. In some further embodiments, theuser may also upload photographs and/or images of the vehicle and/or thedamage to the vehicle. In some embodiments, RA computer device mayrequest that the user upload additional photographs for being forwardedto the selected repair facility. Systems for uploading photos of damageto a vehicle and for reviewing those photos to determine the amount ofdamage to the vehicle based on those photos can be found in U.S. Pat.Application No. 16/158,137 and U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/158,118,both filed Oct. 11, 2018, and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORMODEL-BASED ANALYSIS OF DAMAGE TO A VEHICLE.” The entire contents anddisclosure of both are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

In response to reporting the loss, the user is directed to a specializeduser interface. In some embodiments, the user may receive an e-mail ortext message (such as a short message service (SMS) message or amultimedia messaging service (MMS) message) that includes a link to thespecialized user interface. In other embodiments, the user may havereported the loss in an application associated with the insuranceprovider, where the user had to provide login credentials to access theapplication. In these embodiments, the application directs the user tothe specialized user interface.

In the exemplary embodiment, the user is directed to search for a repairfacility to repair the vehicle. The user may search by location or bythe name of the repair facility. If the user searches by location, thenthe user may enter one of, but not limited to, an address, a zip code, amunicipality, and a present location of the user computer device. The RAcomputer device searches one or more databases for repair facilitiesthat are within a predetermined distance of the provided location. Thepredetermined distance may be set by the user, potentially whileperforming the search. The predetermined distance may also be set by theRA computer device based on the condition of the vehicle and how safe itis to operate the vehicle and/or by the distance that the vehicle may betowed.

In the exemplary embodiment, the RA computer device filters the displayto only display repair facilities that are designated as select servicelocations. Select service locations are repair facilities that arepre-authorized by the insurance provider to perform repair work. In theexemplary embodiment, these repair facilities have pre-existingrelationships with the insurance provider. In some embodiments, theinsurance provider has a certification program that it applies to repairfacilities to determine whether or not the repair facility qualifies tobe a select service location.

The RA computer device displays the repair facilities. In the exemplaryembodiment, the RA computer device only displays repair facilities thatare considered select service locations. In the exemplary embodiment,the RA computer device displays the repair facilities on a map. In somefurther embodiments, the map is centered on the location that the userentered. In some embodiments, the user may move the map displayed to seethe repair facilities in different areas. The user may also zoom in andout on the map. In other embodiments, the RA computer device may displaythe repair locations in a list. As an enhancement, each repair locationon the list may include the distance between the location that the userentered and the corresponding repair facility. The information next toeach repair location may also include, but is not limited to, shoprepair specialty, customer ratings, hours of operation, etc.

The RA computer device receives the user’s selection of a repairfacility from the user computer device. In some embodiments, the RAcomputer device displays information about the selection and requeststhat the user confirms the selection. If the user does not confirm theselection, the RA computer device displays the repair facilities andallows the user to make a different selection. Once the RA computerdevice has received the user’s confirmed selection of a repair facility,the RA computer device transfers the information about the loss providedby the user to the repair facility. In the exemplary embodiment, the RAcomputer device transmits the information about the loss and the user toa computer device associated with the repair facility, such as repairfacility computer device. In some further embodiments, the RA computerdevice assists the user in setting up an appointment with the repairfacility to repair the vehicle. Then the RA computer device transmits aconfirmation to the user to acknowledge that their vehicle is registeredto be repaired by the selected repair facility.

If the user searches by name, then the user may enter part or all of aname of a repair facility. The RA computer device searches one or moredatabases for repair facilities that match the entered information. Insome situations, there may be more than one repair facility thatmatches, such as in the case of a chain of repair facilities. In thesesituations, the RA computer device displays all or a portion of repairfacilities that match the entered name. In some embodiments, the RAcomputer device may only display those repair facilities that are withina predetermined distance, a/k/a less than 50 miles from the user’sresidential or work address. The user may select the repair facilityfrom a list of similarly named facilities and/or from a singleselection. If the user does not see the repair facility that theydesired on the list, the user may search repair facilities again, eitherby name or location. In some embodiments, the RA computer devicedisplays information about the selection and requests that the userconfirms the selection. If the user does not confirm the selection, theuser may search repair facilities again, either by name or location.

In the exemplary embodiment, the RA computer device searches one or moredatabases to determine whether the selected repair facility is a selectservice location. As described above, select service locations arerepair facilities with a pre-existing relationship with the insuranceprovider, where the insurance provider has certified and/orpre-authorized the repair facility to perform covered repair onvehicles. If the RA computer device determines that the confirmed repairfacility is a select service location, the RA computer device transfersthe information about the loss provided by the user to the repairfacility. In the exemplary embodiment, the RA computer device transmitsthe information about the loss and the user to the repair facilitycomputer device. In some further embodiments, the RA computer deviceassists the user in setting up an appointment with the repair facilityto repair the vehicle. Then the RA computer device transmits aconfirmation to the user to acknowledge that their vehicle is registeredto be repaired by the selected repair facility.

If the RA computer device determines that the confirmed repair facilityis not a select service location, the RA computer device determineswhether or not the vehicle is drivable. In some embodiments, the RAcomputer device may ask the user if the vehicle is safe to drive to theselected repair facility. In other embodiments, the RA computer devicemay determine whether or not the vehicle is safe to drive from theinformation about the loss that the user provided previously. If the RAcomputer device determines that the vehicle is not drivable, then the RAcomputer device sets-up (schedules) a phone call between the user and aninsurance agent or other representative of the insurance provider.

If the RA computer device determines that the vehicle is drivable, theRA computer device instructs the user that an inspection of the damageto the vehicle and the vehicle itself is necessary prior to taking thevehicle to the repair facility for repair. The RA computer devicerequests a location from the user of a location near where the userdesires the inspection to take place. This location may be near thecurrent location of the vehicle, the residence of the user, and/or theworkplace of the user. The location may be, but is not limited to, anaddress, a zip code, a municipality, and a present location of the usercomputer device.

The RA computer device receives the entered location. Based on theentered location, the RA computer device searches for inspection siteswithin a predetermined distance, at which the vehicle may be inspected.In the exemplary embodiment, the inspection sites may include selectservice location repair facilities and/or other locations where theinsurance provider has set-up inspection sites. The RA computer devicedisplays the inspection sites to the user through the user computerdevice. The RA computer device receives from the user a selection of aninspection site.

The RA computer device sets an inspection appointment for the vehiclewith the user and the inspection site. In the some embodiments, the RAcomputer device communicates with a computer device associated with theinspection site and retrieves a calendar of appointments, such asinspection site computer device. Then the RA computer device receives auser’s selection of a date and time for the appointment and compares theuser’s selection to the calendar. If there is a conflict, then the RAcomputer device suggests another time and/or requests that the userselect a different time. In other embodiments, the RA computer devicetransmits the user’s selected date and time to the inspection sitecomputer device, where the inspection site computer device determineswhether or not to accept the selected date and time for the appointment.Once the appointment is set, the RA computer device transmits aconfirmation of the inspection appointment to the user.

While the above describe the object to be repaired as being a vehicle,the object may be one of any other object that needs to be analyzed todetermine the amount of damage that the object has sustained. In somefurther embodiments, the object may be, but is not limited to, apersonal possession, such as an antique clock, a piece of artwork,and/or a piece of furniture.

Exemplary Process for Instructing a User in How and Where to Repair aVehicle

FIG. 1 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process 100 ofinstructing a user in how and where to repair a vehicle, in accordancewith the present disclosure. In the exemplary embodiment, process 100 isperformed by a computer device associated with an insurance provider,such as repair assistant (RA) computer device 310 (shown in FIG. 3 ). Inother embodiments, process 100 is performed by a computer device incommunication with an insurance provider. In the exemplary embodiment,RA computer device 310 is in communication with a user computer device,such as a mobile computer device, for example user computer device 305(shown in FIG. 3 ). In this embodiment, RA computer device 310 performsprocess 100 by transmitting data to the user computer device 305 to bedisplayed to the user and receives the user’s inputs from user computerdevice 305.

In the exemplary embodiment, a user reports 105 a loss. This loss may bedamage to a vehicle or other object, such as due to a vehicularaccident. In other examples, the damage may be due to random chance orMother Nature, such as hail damage or damage from a falling tree limb.In the exemplary embodiment, the user utilizes a user computer device305, such as a mobile computer device, to report 105 the loss. In theexemplary embodiment, the user may utilize an application, or website,associated with an insurance provider to report 105 the loss. In otherembodiments, the user may call an insurance agent to report 105 theloss. In the exemplary embodiment, the user provides information aboutthe loss, such as, but is not limited to, the make, model, and/or yearof the vehicle, the circumstances surrounding the damage, location ofthe damage on the vehicle, identification of the vehicle, identificationof the user, and questions about the current condition of the vehicle.These questions may include, but are not limited to, does the hood openand close freely, does the trunk open and close freely, do all of thedoors open and close freely, does the vehicle appear to have anysuspension damage, and are any fluids leaking. Additionally, the userindicates whether to not he or she plans to repair vehicle. In somefurther embodiments, the user may also upload photographs and/or imagesof the vehicle and/or the damage to the vehicle. In some embodiments, RAcomputer device may request that the user upload additional photographsfor being forwarded to the selected repair facility.

In response to reporting 105 the loss, the user is directed to aspecialized user interface. In some embodiments, the user may receive ane-mail or text message (such as a SMS message or a MMS message) thatincludes a link to the specialized user interface. In other embodiments,the user may have reported 105 the loss in an application associatedwith the insurance provider, where the user had to provide logincredentials to access the application. In these embodiments, theapplication directs the user to the specialized user interface.

In the exemplary embodiment, the user is directed to search 110 for arepair facility to repair the vehicle. The user may search 110 bylocation or by the name of the repair facility. If the user searches 110by location, then the user may enter one of, but not limited to, anaddress, a zip code, a municipality, and a present location of the usercomputer device 305. The RA computer device 310 searches one or moredatabases for repair facilities that are within a predetermined distanceof the provided location. The predetermined distance may be set by theuser, potentially while performing the search. The predetermineddistance may also be set by the RA computer device 310 based on thecondition of the vehicle and how safe it is to operate the vehicleand/or by the distance that the vehicle may be towed.

In the exemplary embodiment, the RA computer device 310 filters thedisplay to only display repair facilities that are designated as selectservice locations. Select service locations are repair facilities thatare pre-authorized by the insurance provider to perform repair work. Inthe exemplary embodiment, these repair facilities have pre-existingrelationships with the insurance provider. In some embodiments, theinsurance provider has a certification program that it applies to repairfacilities to determine whether or not the repair facility qualifies tobe a select service location.

The RA computer device 310 displays 115 the repair facilities. In theexemplary embodiment, the RA computer device 310 only displays 115repair facilities that are considered select service locations. In theexemplary embodiment, the RA computer device 310 displays 115 the repairfacilities on a map. In some further embodiments, the map is centered onthe location that the user entered. In some embodiments, the user maymove the map displayed to see the repair facilities in different areas.The user may also zoom in and out on the map. In other embodiments, theRA computer device 310 may display 115 the repair locations in a list.As an enhancement, each repair location on the list may include thedistance between the location that the user entered and thecorresponding repair facility. The information next to each repairlocation may also include, but is not limited to, shop repair specialty,customer ratings, hours of operation, etc.

The RA computer device 310 receives 120 the user’s selection of a repairfacility from the user computer device 305. In some embodiments, the RAcomputer device 310 displays information about the selection andrequests that the user confirms the selection. If the user does notconfirm the selection, the RA computer device 310 displays 115 therepair facilities and allows the user to make a different selection.Once the RA computer device 310 has received 120 the user’s confirmedselection of a repair facility, the RA computer device 310 transfers 125the information about the loss provided by the user to the repairfacility. In the exemplary embodiment, the RA computer device 310transmits the information about the loss and the user to a computerdevice associated with the repair facility, such as repair facilitycomputer device 330 (shown in FIG. 3 ). In some further embodiments, theRA computer device 310 assists the user in setting up an appointmentwith the repair facility to repair the vehicle. Then the RA computerdevice 310 transmits 130 a confirmation to the user to acknowledge thattheir vehicle is registered to be repaired by the selected repairfacility.

If the user searches 110 by name, then the user may enter part or all ofa name of a repair facility. The RA computer device 310 searches one ormore databases for repair facilities that match the entered information.In some situations, there may be more than one repair facility thatmatches, such as in the case of a chain of repair facilities. In thesesituations, the RA computer device 310 displays all or a portion ofrepair facilities that match the entered name. In some embodiments, theRA computer device 310 may only display those repair facilities that arewithin a predetermined distance, a/k/a less than 50 miles from theuser’s residential or work address. The user may select the repairfacility from a list of similarly named facilities and/or from a singleselection. If the user does not see the repair facility that theydesired on the list, the user may search 110 repair facilities again,either by name or location. In some embodiments, the RA computer device310 displays information about the selection and requests that the userconfirms the selection. If the user does not confirm the selection, theuser may search 110 repair facilities again, either by name or location.

In the exemplary embodiment, the RA computer device 310 searches one ormore databases to determine 135 whether the selected repair facility isa select service location. As described above, select service locationsare repair facilities with a pre-existing relationship with theinsurance provider, where the insurance provider has certified and/orpre-authorized the repair facility to perform covered repair onvehicles. If the RA computer device 310 determines 135 that theconfirmed repair facility is a select service location, the RA computerdevice 310 transfers 125 the information about the loss provided by theuser to the repair facility. In the exemplary embodiment, the RAcomputer device 310 transmits the information about the loss and theuser to the repair facility computer device 330. In some furtherembodiments, the RA computer device 310 assists the user in setting upan appointment with the repair facility to repair the vehicle. Then theRA computer device 310 transmits 130 a confirmation to the user toacknowledge that their vehicle is registered to be repaired by theselected repair facility.

If the RA computer device 310 determines 135 that the confirmed repairfacility is not a select service location, the RA computer device 310determines 140 whether or not the vehicle is drivable. In someembodiments, the RA computer device 310 may ask the user if the vehicleis safe to drive to the selected repair facility. In other embodiments,the RA computer device 310 may determine 140 whether or not the vehicleis safe to drive from the information about the loss that the userprovided previously. If the RA computer device 310 determines 140 thatthe vehicle is not drivable, then the RA computer device 310 sets-up aphone call between the user and an insurance agent or otherrepresentative of the insurance provider.

If the RA computer device 310 determines 140 that the vehicle isdrivable, the RA computer device 310 instructs the user that aninspection of the damage to the vehicle and the vehicle itself isnecessary prior to taking the vehicle to the repair facility for repair.The RA computer device 310 requests a location from the user of alocation near where the user desires the inspection to take place. Thislocation may be near the current location of the vehicle, the residenceof the user, and/or the workplace of the user. The location may be, butis not limited to, an address, a zip code, a municipality, and a presentlocation of the user computer device 305.

The RA computer device 310 receives 150 the entered location. Based onthe entered location, the RA computer device 310 searches for inspectionsites within a predetermined distance, at which the vehicle may beinspected. In the exemplary embodiment, the inspection sites may includeselect service location repair facilities and/or other locations wherethe insurance provider has set-up inspection sites. The RA computerdevice 310 displays 155 the inspection sites to the user through theuser computer device 305. The RA computer device 310 receives 160 fromthe user a selection of an inspection site.

The RA computer device 310 sets 165 an inspection appointment for thevehicle with the user and the inspection site. In the some embodiments,the RA computer device 310 communicates with a computer deviceassociated with the inspection site and retrieves a calendar ofappointments, such as inspection site computer device 335 (shown in FIG.3 ). Then the RA computer device 310 receives a user’s selection of adate and time for the appointment and compares the user’s selection tothe calendar. If there is a conflict, then the RA computer device 310suggests another time and/or requests that the user select a differenttime. In other embodiments, the RA computer device 310 transmits theuser’s selected date and time to the inspection site computer device335, where the inspection site computer device 335 determines whether ornot to accept the selected date and time for the appointment. Once theappointment is set 165, the RA computer device 310 transmits 170 aconfirmation of the inspection appointment to the user.

While the above describe the object to be repaired as being a vehicle,the object may be one of any other object that needs to be analyzed todetermine the amount of damage that the object has sustained. In somefurther embodiments, the object may be, but is not limited to, apersonal possession, such as an antique clock, a piece of artwork,and/or a piece of furniture.

Exemplary Computer-Implemented Method For Instructing a User in How andWhere to Repair a Vehicle

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary computer-implementedprocess 200 for one aspect of the process 100 of instructing a user inhow and where to repair a vehicle as shown in FIG. 1 , in accordancewith the present disclosure. Process 200 may be implemented by acomputing device, for example damage analysis (“RA”) computer device 310(shown in FIG. 3 ). In the exemplary embodiment, RA computer device 310may be in communication with a user computer device 305 (shown in FIG. 3), such as a mobile computer device, an insurer network computer device325 (shown in FIG. 3 ), one or more repair facility computer devices 330(shown in FIG. 3 ), and one or more inspection site computer devices 335(shown in FIG. 3 ).

In the exemplary embodiment, RA computer device 310 may receive 205,from the user, a request to repair a vehicle, including informationabout the vehicle. In the exemplary embodiment, the information aboutthe vehicle includes, but is not limited to, the make, model, and/oryear of the vehicle, the circumstances surrounding the damage, locationof the damage on the vehicle, identification of the vehicle,identification of the user, and questions about the current condition ofthe vehicle. These questions may include, but are not limited to, doesthe hood open and close freely, does the trunk open and close freely, doall of the doors open and close freely, does the vehicle appear to haveany suspension damage, and are any fluids leaking. Additionally, theuser indicates whether to not he or she plans to repair vehicle. In somefurther embodiments, the user may also upload photographs and/or imagesof the vehicle and/or the damage to the vehicle. In some embodiments, RAcomputer device may request that the user upload additional photographsfor being forwarded to the selected repair facility.

In response to the request, RA computer device 310 may present 210, tothe user via the user computer device, a user interface to allow theuser to search for a repair facility to repair the vehicle. In someembodiments, RA computer device 310 may transmit a link to a userinterface, such as in a SMS message, a MMS message, or an email to theuser. In other embodiments, the user may login to an applicationassociated with the insurance provider to request the repair. Theapplication may direct the user to the user interface. In the exemplaryembodiment, RA computer device 310 transmits information about the userinterface to the user computer device 305 and the user computer device305 displays the user interface to the user. In this embodiment, theuser computer device 305 receives inputs from the user and transmitsthose inputs to RA computer device 310.

In the exemplary embodiment, the user interface allows the user tosearch for a repair facility based on the name or the location of thefacility. RA computer device 310 may receive, from the user via the userinterface, a search request including a name of a repair facility. RAcomputer device 310 may request that the user reenter the name of therepair facility if the name is not recognized. RA computer device 310may then query one or more databases to recognize the repair facilitybased on the name. If the name is recognized, RA computer device 310 mayretrieve, from the one or more databases, facility information about therepair facility.

RA computer device 310 may receive, from the user via the userinterface, a search location for a repair facility, where the searchlocation may be at least one of an address, a zip code, a municipality,and a present location of the user computer device. RA computer device310 may then query, one or more databases, to determine a plurality ofrepair facilities within a predetermined distance of the searchlocation. In the exemplary embodiment, RA computer device 310 filtersthe plurality of repair facilities to generate a subset of repairfacilities, where the subset of repair facilities are select servicelocations. Select service locations are repair facilities that arepre-authorized by the insurance provider to perform repair work. In theexemplary embodiment, these repair facilities have pre-existingrelationships with the insurance provider. In some embodiments, theinsurance provider has a certification program that it applies to repairfacilities to determine whether or not the repair facility qualifies tobe a select service location. RA computer device 310 then presents, tothe user via the user interface, the subset of repair facilities.

In the exemplary embodiment, RA computer device 310 receives 215, fromthe user via the user interface, a selection of a repair facility. RAcomputer device 310 may receive 215, from the user via the userinterface, a selection of one of the repair facilities of the subset ofrepair facilities. Based on the selection, RA computer device 310determines 220 whether the selected repair facility is a select servicelocation. RA computer device 310 may determine 220, via the one or moredatabases, whether the repair facility is a select service locationbased on the facility information provided by one or more databases. Ifthe repair facility was chosen based on the location search, and onlyselect service locations were displayed, RA computer device 310automatically determines 220 that the repair facility is a selectservice location.

If the selected repair facility is a select service location, RAcomputer device 310 transfers 225 the information about the vehicle to acomputer device associated with the selected repair facility, such asrepair facility computer device 330. In some embodiments, RA computerdevice 310 transmits a confirmation to the user. RA computer device 310may also assist the user in setting up an appointment to repair thevehicle.

If the selected repair facility is not a select service location, RAcomputer device 310 may request, from the user via the user interface,drivability information including whether or not the vehicle is able tobe safely driven. If RA computer device 310 determines that the vehicleis not able to be safely driven, RA computer device 310 may schedule aphone call to continue the repair process. In some embodiments, RAcomputer device 310 may initiate call to an insurance provider agent orrepresentative. In other embodiments, RA computer device 310 maytransmit a request for communication to an insurer network computerdevice 325, wherein the insurer network computer device 325 may initiatea call between the user and a representative of the insurance providerand/or schedule a call in the future. For example, RA computer device310 may ask the user to enter when the user wishes to be called.

In some embodiments, RA computer device 310 may communicate with one ormore insurer network computer devices 325 to setup the call. If RAcomputer device 310 determines that the vehicle is able to be safelydriven, RA computer device 310 may present, to the user via the userinterface, a search interface to search for an inspection site. Thecomputer system may also receive, from the user via the user interface,a selection of an inspection site. In some embodiments, RA computerdevice 310 may present, to the user via the user interface, a calendarto allow the user to set an appointment with the inspection site. RAcomputer device 310 may also determine an appointment based on the userselections in the user interface and appointment information from acomputer device associated with the selected inspection site, such asinspection site computer device 335.

In some embodiments, RA computer device 310 transmits views for the userinterface to the user computer device 305. The user computer device 305is configured to receive and display the views. RA computer device 310receives user inputs received by the user computer device 305 from theuser and transmitted to RA computer device 310.

While the above describe the object to be repaired as being a vehicle,the object may be one of any other object that needs to be analyzed todetermine the amount of damage that the object has sustained. In somefurther embodiments, the object may be, but is not limited to, apersonal possession, such as an antique clock, a piece of artwork,and/or a piece of furniture.

Exemplary Computer Network

FIG. 3 depicts a simplified block diagram of an exemplary computersystem 300 for implementing process 100 shown in FIG. 1 and process 200shown in FIG. 2 . In the exemplary embodiment, computer system 300 maybe used for instructing a user in how and where to repair a vehicle. Asdescribed below in more detail, a repair assistant (“RA”) computerdevice 310 may be configured to (i) receive, from a user, a request torepair a vehicle, including information about the vehicle; (ii) present,to the user via user computer device 305, a user interface to allow theuser to search for a repair facility to repair the vehicle; (iii)receive, from the user via the user interface, a selection of a repairfacility; (iv) determine whether the selected repair facility is aselect service location, where a select service location is apre-authorized repair facility; and (v) if the selected repair facilityis a select service location, transfer the information about the vehicleto a computer device associated with the selected repair facility.

In the exemplary embodiment, user computer devices 305 are computersthat include a web browser or a software application, which enables usercomputer devices 305 to access remote computer devices, such as RAcomputer device 310 and insurer network computer devices 325, using theInternet or other network. More specifically, user computer devices 305may be communicatively coupled to the Internet through many interfacesincluding, but not limited to, at least one of a network, such as theInternet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or anintegrated services digital network (ISDN), a dial-up-connection, adigital subscriber line (DSL), a cellular phone connection, and a cablemodem. User computer devices 305 may be any device capable of accessingthe Internet including, but not limited to, a desktop computer, a laptopcomputer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone, asmartphone, a tablet, a phablet, wearable electronics, smart watch, orother web-based connectable equipment or mobile devices. In someembodiments, user computer device 305 is in communication with a camera.In some of these embodiments, the camera is integrated into usercomputer device 305. In other embodiments, the camera is a separatedevice that is in communication with user computer device 305, such asthrough a wired connection, i.e. a universal serial bus (USB)connection.

A database server 315 may be communicatively coupled to a database 320that stores data. In one embodiment, database 320 may include vehicleinformation, select service locations, inspection sites, and repairfacility information. In the exemplary embodiment, database 320 may bestored remotely from RA computer device 310. In some embodiments,database 320 may be decentralized. In the exemplary embodiment, the usermay access database 320 via user computer device 305 by logging onto RAcomputer device 310, as described herein.

RA computer device 310 may be communicatively coupled with one or moreuser computer devices 305. In some embodiments, RA computer device 310may be associated with, or is part of a computer network associated withan insurance provider, or in communication with insurer network computerdevices 325. In other embodiments, RA computer device 310 may beassociated with a third party and is merely in communication with theinsurer network computer devices 325. More specifically, RA computerdevice 310 is communicatively coupled to the Internet through manyinterfaces including, but not limited to, at least one of a network,such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), or an integrated services digital network (ISDN), adial-up-connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a cellular phoneconnection, and a cable modem.

RA computer device 310 may be any device capable of accessing theInternet including, but not limited to, a desktop computer, a laptopcomputer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone, asmartphone, a tablet, a phablet, wearable electronics, smart watch, orother web-based connectable equipment or mobile devices. In theexemplary embodiment, RA computer device 310 hosts an application orwebsite that allows the user to access the functionality describedherein. In some further embodiments, user computer device 305 includesan application that facilitates communication with RA computer device310.

In the exemplary embodiment, insurer network computer devices 325include one or more computer devices associated with an insuranceprovider. In the exemplary embodiment, insurance provider is associatedwith the user and the user has an insurance policy that insures theobject with insurance provider. In the exemplary embodiment, insurernetwork computer devices 325 include a web browser or a softwareapplication, which enables insurer network computer devices 325 toaccess remote computer devices, such as RA computer device 310 anddatabase server 315, using the Internet or other network. Morespecifically, insurer network computer devices 325 may becommunicatively coupled to the Internet through many interfacesincluding, but not limited to, at least one of a network, such as theInternet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or anintegrated services digital network (ISDN), a dial-up-connection, adigital subscriber line (DSL), a cellular phone connection, and a cablemodem. Insurer network computer devices 325 may be any device capable ofaccessing the Internet including, but not limited to, a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), acellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a phablet, wearable electronics,smart watch, or other web-based connectable equipment or mobile devices.In some embodiments, insurer network computer devices 325 may accessdatabase 320 to select service locations, inspection sites, and/orrepair facility information.

In the exemplary embodiment, repair facility computer devices 330include computer devices associated with repair facilities capable ofrepairing object. In the exemplary embodiment, repair facility computerdevices 330 include a web browser or a software application, whichenables repair facility computer devices 330 to access remote computerdevices, such as RA computer device 310, using the Internet or othernetwork. More specifically, repair facility computer devices 330 may becommunicatively coupled to the Internet through many interfacesincluding, but not limited to, at least one of a network, such as theInternet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or anintegrated services digital network (ISDN), a dial-up-connection, adigital subscriber line (DSL), a cellular phone connection, and a cablemodem. Repair facility computer devices 330 may be any device capable ofaccessing the Internet including, but not limited to, a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), acellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a phablet, wearable electronics,smart watch, or other web-based connectable equipment or mobile devices.In some embodiments, repair facility computer devices 330 maycommunicate with RA computer device 310 to schedule repair appointments.In some embodiments, repair facilities also function as inspectionsites. In these embodiments, repair facility computer devices 330 maycommunicate with RA computer device 310 to schedule inspectionappointments. Repair facility computer devices 330 may communicate withdatabase 320 to retrieve information about the vehicle to be repaired.

In the exemplary embodiment, inspection site computer devices 335include computer devices associated with inspection sites capable ofinspecting the damage to the object. In the exemplary embodiment,inspection site computer devices 330 include a web browser or a softwareapplication, which enables inspection site computer devices 335 toaccess remote computer devices, such as RA computer device 310, usingthe Internet or other network. More specifically, inspection sitecomputer devices 335 may be communicatively coupled to the Internetthrough many interfaces including, but not limited to, at least one of anetwork, such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide areanetwork (WAN), or an integrated services digital network (ISDN), adial-up-connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a cellular phoneconnection, and a cable modem. Inspection site computer devices 335 maybe any device capable of accessing the Internet including, but notlimited to, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a phablet,wearable electronics, smart watch, or other web-based connectableequipment or mobile devices. In some embodiments, inspection sitecomputer devices 335 may communicate with RA computer device 310 toschedule inspection appointments. Inspection site computer devices 335may communicate with database 320 to retrieve information about thevehicle to be inspected.

Exemplary Client Device

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary configuration 400 of user computer device402, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In theexemplary embodiment, user computer device 402 may be similar to, or thesame as, user computer device 305 (shown in FIG. 3 ). User computerdevice 402 may be operated by a user 401. User computer device 402 mayinclude, but is not limited to, user computer devices 305, insurernetwork computer devices 325, repair facility computer devices 330, andinspection site computer devices 335 (all shown in FIG. 3 ). Usercomputer device 402 may include a processor 405 for executinginstructions. In some embodiments, executable instructions may be storedin a memory area 410. Processor 405 may include one or more processingunits (e.g., in a multi-core configuration). Memory area 410 may be anydevice allowing information such as executable instructions and/ortransaction data to be stored and retrieved. Memory area 410 may includeone or more computer readable media.

User computer device 402 may also include at least one media outputcomponent 415 for presenting information to user 401. Media outputcomponent 415 may be any component capable of conveying information touser 401. In some embodiments, media output component 415 may include anoutput adapter (not shown) such as a video adapter and/or an audioadapter. An output adapter may be operatively coupled to processor 405and operatively coupleable to an output device such as a display device(e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), lightemitting diode (LED) display, or “electronic ink” display) or an audiooutput device (e.g., a speaker or headphones).

In some embodiments, media output component 415 may be configured topresent a graphical user interface (e.g., a web browser and/or a clientapplication) to user 401. A graphical user interface may include, forexample, an interface for viewing repair facility locations. In someembodiments, user computer device 402 may include an input device 420for receiving input from user 401. User 401 may use input device 420 to,without limitation, select a repair facility and/or inspection site.

Input device 420 may include, for example, a keyboard, a pointingdevice, a mouse, a stylus, a touch sensitive panel (e.g., a touch pad ora touch screen), a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a position detector, abiometric input device, and/or an audio input device. A single componentsuch as a touch screen may function as both an output device of mediaoutput component 415 and input device 420.

User computer device 402 may also include a communication interface 425,communicatively coupled to a remote device such as RA computer device310 (shown in FIG. 3 ). Communication interface 425 may include, forexample, a wired or wireless network adapter and/or a wireless datatransceiver for use with a mobile telecommunications network.

Stored in memory area 410 are, for example, computer readableinstructions for providing a user interface to user 401 via media outputcomponent 415 and, optionally, receiving and processing input from inputdevice 420. A user interface may include, among other possibilities, aweb browser and/or a client application. Web browsers enable users, suchas user 401, to display and interact with media and other informationtypically embedded on a web page or a website from RA computer device310. A client application may allow user 401 to interact with, forexample, RA computer device 310. For example, instructions may be storedby a cloud service, and the output of the execution of the instructionssent to the media output component 415.

Exemplary Server Device

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary configuration 500 of a server computerdevice 501, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.In the exemplary embodiment, server computer device 501 may be similarto, or the same as, RA computer device 310 (shown in FIG. 3 ). Servercomputer device 501 may include, but is not limited to, RA computerdevice 310, insurer network computer devices 325, repair facilitycomputer device 330, inspection site computer device 335, and databaseserver 315 (all shown in FIG. 3 ). Server computer device 501 may alsoinclude a processor 505 for executing instructions. Instructions may bestored in a memory area 510. Processor 505 may include one or moreprocessing units (e.g., in a multi-core configuration).

Processor 505 may be operatively coupled to a communication interface515 such that server computer device 501 is capable of communicatingwith a remote device such as another server computer device 501, RAcomputer device 310, insurer network computer devices 325, repairfacility computer device 330, inspection site computer device 335, anduser computer devices 305 (shown in FIG. 3 ) (for example, usingwireless communication or data transmission over one or more radio linksor digital communication channels). For example, communication interface515 may receive requests from user computer devices 305 via theInternet, as illustrated in FIG. 3 .

Processor 505 may also be operatively coupled to a storage device 534.Storage device 534 may be any computer-operated hardware suitable forstoring and/or retrieving data, such as, but not limited to, dataassociated with database 320 (shown in FIG. 3 ). In some embodiments,storage device 534 may be integrated in server computer device 501. Forexample, server computer device 501 may include one or more hard diskdrives as storage device 534.

In other embodiments, storage device 534 may be external to servercomputer device 501 and may be accessed by a plurality of servercomputer devices 501. For example, storage device 534 may include astorage area network (SAN), a network attached storage (NAS) system,and/or multiple storage units such as hard disks and/or solid statedisks in a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) configuration.

In some embodiments, processor 505 may be operatively coupled to storagedevice 534 via a storage interface 520. Storage interface 520 may be anycomponent capable of providing processor 505 with access to storagedevice 534. Storage interface 520 may include, for example, an AdvancedTechnology Attachment (ATA) adapter, a Serial ATA (SATA) adapter, aSmall Computer System Interface (SCSI) adapter, a RAID controller, a SANadapter, a network adapter, and/or any component providing processor 505with access to storage device 534.

Processor 505 may execute computer-executable instructions forimplementing aspects of the disclosure. In some embodiments, theprocessor 505 may be transformed into a special purpose microprocessorby executing computer-executable instructions or by otherwise beingprogrammed. For example, the processor 505 may be programmed with theinstruction such as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

Exemplary Computer Device

FIG. 6 depicts a diagram 600 of components of one or more exemplarycomputing devices 610 that may be used in system 300 shown in FIG. 3 .In some embodiments, computing device 610 may be similar to RA computerdevice 310. Database 620 may be coupled with several separate componentswithin computing device 610, which perform specific tasks. In thisembodiment, database 620 may include vehicle information 622, selectservice locations 624, inspection sites 626, and repair facilityinformation 628. In some embodiments, database 620 is similar todatabase 320 (shown in FIG. 3 ).

Computing device 610 may include the database 620, as well as datastorage devices 630. Computing device 610 may also include acommunication component 640 for receiving 205 a request to repair avehicle, receiving 215 a selection of a repair facility, andtransferring 225 the information about the vehicle (all shown in FIG. 2). Computing device 610 may further include a presenting component 650for presenting 210 a user interface (shown in FIG. 2 ). Moreover,computing device 610 may include a determining component 660 fordetermining 220 whether the selected repair facility is a select servicelocation (shown in FIG. 2 ). A processing component 670 may assist withexecution of computer-executable instructions associated with thesystem.

Exemplary User Interface

FIG. 7 illustrates a view 700 of a user interface for allowing the userto search for a repair facility using system 300 (shown in FIG. 3 ). Inthe exemplary embodiment, view 700 of user interface is displayed onuser computer device 305 (shown in FIG. 3 ).

View 700 displays a search bar for allowing a user to search for arepair facility, such as described in Step 110 of process 100 (shown inFIG. 1 ). As described above, the user may enter a shop name, address,city, state, and/or zip code to search for a repair facility. View 700is similar to the view of the search bar for searching for an inspectionsite, as described in Step 150 of process 100.

Exemplary User Interface

FIG. 8 illustrates a view 800 of a user interface for displaying a mapwith multiple repair facilities for a user to choose from using system300 (shown in FIG. 3 ). In the exemplary embodiment, view 800 of userinterface is displayed on user computer device 305 (shown in FIG. 3 ).

View 800 displays a map including a plurality of repair facilities forthe user to select. In view 800, the user has clicked on the firstrepair facility. The view 800 displays information about the firstrepair facility and allows the user to select this repair facility bypressing the button labeled “Use Shop.” If the user selects a differentrepair facility, the view 800 will change and display information aboutthat repair facility. This map with selections is also described in Step115 of process 100 (shown in FIG. 1 ). View 800 is similar to the viewof the map for selecting an inspection site for inspecting the vehicle,as described in Step 155 of process 100. In the exemplary embodiment,entering a location in view 700 causes the user interface to proceed toview 800 to display repair facilities and/or inspection sites within apredetermined distance of the location to be displayed.

Exemplary User Interface

FIG. 9 illustrates a view 900 of a user interface for displaying aconfirmation to a user using system 300 (shown in FIG. 3 ). In theexemplary embodiment, view 900 of user interface is displayed on usercomputer device 305 (shown in FIG. 3 ).

View 900 displays a confirmation to the user to acknowledge that theirvehicle is registered to be repaired by the selected repair facility.View 900 displays information to the user to allow them to proceed tothe selected repair facility, as described in Step 130 of process 100(shown in FIG. 1 ). View 900 is similar to the view of the confirmationfor setting an appointment for an inspection of the vehicle, asdescribed in Step 170 of process 100.

Exemplary Embodiments & Functionality

In one aspect, a computer system for instructing a user in how and whereto repair a vehicle may be provided. The computer system may include atleast one processor in communication with at least one memory device.The computer system may be in communication with a user computer deviceassociated with the user. The at least one processor may be configuredor programmed to: (1) receive, from the user, a request to repair avehicle, including information about the vehicle; (2) present, to theuser via the user computer device, a user interface to allow the user tosearch for a repair facility to repair the vehicle; (3) receive, fromthe user via the user interface, a selection of a repair facility; (4)determine whether the selected repair facility is a select servicelocation, wherein a select service location is a pre-authorized repairfacility; and (5) if the selected repair facility is a select servicelocation, transfer the information about the vehicle to a computerdevice associated with the selected repair facility.

If the selected repair facility is not a select service location, afurther enhancement may be where the computer system may request, fromthe user via the user interface, drivability information includingwhether or not the vehicle is able to be safely driven. If thedetermination is that the vehicle is not able to be safely driven, thecomputer system may schedule a phone call to continue the repairprocess. In some embodiments, the computer system may initiate call toan insurance provider agent or representative. In other embodiments, thecomputer system may transmit a request for communication to an insurernetwork computer device, wherein the insurer network computer device mayinitiate a call between the user and a representative of the insuranceprovider and/or schedule a call in the future. For example, the computersystem may ask the user to enter when the user wishes to be called. Ifthe determination is that the vehicle is able to be safely driven, thecomputer system may present, to the user via the user interface, asearch interface to search for an inspection site. The computer systemmay also receive, from the user via the user interface, a selection ofan inspection site.

A further enhancement may be where the computer system may present, tothe user via the user interface, a calendar to allow the user to set anappointment with the inspection site. The computer system may alsodetermine an appointment based on the user selections in the userinterface and appointment information from a computer device associatedwith the selected inspection site.

The computer system may achieve the above results by receiving, from theuser via the user interface, a search request including a name of arepair facility. The computer system may request that the user reenterthe name of the repair facility if the name is not recognized. Thecomputer system may then query one or more databases to recognize therepair facility based on the name. If the name is recognized, thecomputer system retrieves, from the one or more databases, facilityinformation about the repair facility. The computer system may thendetermine, via the one or more databases, whether the repair facility isa select service location based on the facility information.

The computer system may achieve the above results by receiving, from theuser via the user interface, a search location for a repair facility,where the search location may be at least one of an address, a zip code,a municipality, and a present location of the user computer device. Thecomputer system may then query, one or more databases, to determine aplurality of repair facilities within a predetermined distance of thesearch location. The computer system may filter the plurality of repairfacilities to generate a subset of repair facilities, wherein the subsetof repair facilities are select service locations. The computer systemmay also present, to the user via the user interface, the subset ofrepair facilities and receive, from the user via the user interface, aselection of one of the repair facilities of the subset of repairfacilities.

A further enhancement may be where in response to the request to repairthe vehicle, the computer system may transmit, to the user computerdevice, a link to the user interface, wherein the link is transmitted inat least one of a SMS message, an MMS message, and an email message.

A further enhancement may be where the user interface is associated withan application on the user computer device. In this enhancement the userlogs into the application to make the request to repair the vehicle.

The computer system may achieve the above results by including the userinterface. The computer system may then transmit views for the userinterface to the user computer device, where the user computer device isconfigured to receive and display the views. The computer system maythen receive user inputs received by the user computer device from theuser and transmitted to the computer system.

A further enhancement may be where the information about the vehicleincludes one or more of a make of the vehicle, a model of the vehicle, ayear of the vehicle, a location of the damage on the vehicle,identification of the vehicle, and identification of the user.

Machine Learning & Other Matters

The computer-implemented methods discussed herein may includeadditional, less, or alternate actions, including those discussedelsewhere herein. The methods may be implemented via one or more localor remote processors, transceivers, and/or sensors (such as processors,transceivers, and/or sensors mounted on vehicles or mobile devices, orassociated with smart infrastructure or remote servers), and/or viacomputer-executable instructions stored on non-transitorycomputer-readable media or medium.

Additionally, the computer systems discussed herein may includeadditional, less, or alternate functionality, including that discussedelsewhere herein. The computer systems discussed herein may include orbe implemented via computer-executable instructions stored onnon-transitory computer-readable media or medium.

A processor or a processing element may be trained using supervised orunsupervised machine learning, and the machine learning program mayemploy a neural network, which may be a convolutional neural network, adeep learning neural network, a reinforced or reinforcement learningmodule or program, or a combined learning module or program that learnsin two or more fields or areas of interest. Machine learning may involveidentifying and recognizing patterns in existing data in order tofacilitate making predictions for subsequent data. Models may be createdbased upon example inputs in order to make valid and reliablepredictions for novel inputs.

Additionally or alternatively, the machine learning programs may betrained by inputting sample (e.g., training) data sets or certain datainto the programs, such as image data of objects to be analyzed (e.g.,vehicle damage), mobile device data, and/or vehicle telematics data. Themachine learning programs may utilize deep learning algorithms that maybe primarily focused on pattern recognition, and may be trained afterprocessing multiple examples. The machine learning programs may includeBayesian program learning (BPL), voice recognition and synthesis, imageor object recognition, optical character recognition, and/or naturallanguage processing - either individually or in combination. The machinelearning programs may also include natural language processing, semanticanalysis, automatic reasoning, and/or other types of machine learning,such as deep learning, reinforced learning, or combined learning.

Supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques may be used. Insupervised machine learning, a processing element may be provided withexample inputs and their associated outputs, and may seek to discover ageneral rule that maps inputs to outputs, so that when subsequent novelinputs are provided the processing element may, based upon thediscovered rule, accurately predict the correct output. In unsupervisedmachine learning, the processing element may be required to find its ownstructure in unlabeled example inputs. The unsupervised machine learningtechniques may include clustering techniques, cluster analysis, anomalydetection techniques, multivariate data analysis, probabilitytechniques, unsupervised quantum learning techniques, associate miningor associate rule mining techniques, and/or the use of neural networks.In some embodiments, semi-supervised learning techniques may beemployed. In one embodiment, machine learning techniques may be used toextract data about the object, vehicle, user, damage, needed repairs,costs and/or incident from vehicle data, insurance policies, geolocationdata, image data, and/or other data.

In the exemplary embodiment, a processing element may be trained byproviding it with a large sample of repair and vehicle damage data withknown characteristics or features. Such information may include, forexample, information associated with a shape, size, and/or type ofdamage as well as the qualifications of various repair facilities andpast choices of users related to different repair facilities based oninformation such as insurance policies, geolocation data, image data,and/or other data.

Based upon these analyses, the processing element may learn how toidentify characteristics and patterns that may then be applied toanalyzing repair data. For example, the processing element may learn,with the user’s permission or affirmative consent, to identify therepair facilities most appropriate for certain types of vehicles andcertain types of damages. The processing element may also learn how toidentify attributes of different repair facilities that make a user moreor less likely to choose that repair facility. This information may beused to determine which repair facilities should be made or qualified asselect service locations.

Technical Advantages

The aspects described herein may be implemented as part of one or morecomputer components such as a client device and/or one or more back-endcomponents, such as a repair assessment engine, for example.Furthermore, the aspects described herein may be implemented as part ofa computer network architecture and/or a cognitive computingarchitecture that facilitates communications between various otherdevices and/or components. Thus, the aspects described herein addressand solve issues of a technical nature that are necessarily rooted incomputer technology.

For instance, aspects include analyzing various sources of data todetermine damage to an object, such as a vehicle, determine a repairfacility to repair the damage, and assist a user in setting up anappointment. In doing so, the aspects overcome issues associated withthe inconvenience of manually driving to an inspection facility andrequiring multiple inspections prior to repair of the damage.Furthermore, these aspects reduce the number of trips required to travelto a repair facility that may require one trip for the inspection andanother trip for the actual repair. Without the improvements suggestedherein, additional processing and memory usage would be required toperform such coordination. Additional technical advantages include, butare not limited to: i) improved speed and responsiveness in repairing anobject; ii) aligning the owner of the object to be repaired with arepair facility capable of performing the repair; iii) aligning theowner of the object to be repaired with a repair facility that iscovered by the insurance provider to perform the repair; iv) efficienttransfer of data to the repair facility about the damage prior toarrival at the facility; v) analyzing policies to determine the mostefficient repair to the object; and vi) providing an efficient userinterface to receive the required data in an efficient and accuratemanner. Additional technical advantages are described in other sectionsof the specification.

Furthermore, the embodiments described herein improve upon existingtechnologies, and improve the functionality of computers, by moreaccurately predicting or identifying which repair facilities that a usermay select. The present embodiments improve the speed, efficiency, andaccuracy in which such calculations and processor analysis may beperformed. Due to these improvements, the aspects addresscomputer-related issues regarding efficiency over conventionaltechniques. Thus, the aspects also address computer related issues thatare related to efficiency metrics and ease of use, for example.

Additional Considerations

As will be appreciated based upon the foregoing specification, theabove-described embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented usingcomputer programming or engineering techniques including computersoftware, firmware, hardware or any combination or subset thereof. Anysuch resulting program, having computer-readable code means, may beembodied or provided within one or more computer-readable media, therebymaking a computer program product, i.e., an article of manufacture,according to the discussed embodiments of the disclosure. Thecomputer-readable media may be, for example, but is not limited to, afixed (hard) drive, diskette, optical disk, magnetic tape, semiconductormemory such as read-only memory (ROM), and/or any transmitting/receivingmedium, such as the Internet or other communication network or link. Thearticle of manufacture containing the computer code may be made and/orused by executing the code directly from one medium, by copying the codefrom one medium to another medium, or by transmitting the code over anetwork.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications, “apps”, or code) include machine instructions for aprogrammable processor, and can be implemented in a high-levelprocedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or inassembly/machine language. As used herein, the terms “machine-readablemedium” “computer-readable medium” refers to any computer programproduct, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks,memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machineinstructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including amachine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as amachine-readable signal. The “machine-readable medium” and“computer-readable medium,” however, do not include transitory signals.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to providemachine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

As used herein, a processor may include any programmable systemincluding systems using micro-controllers, reduced instruction setcircuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logiccircuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executing thefunctions described herein. The above examples are example only, and arethus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning ofthe term “processor.”

As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable,and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by aprocessor, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROMmemory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types areexample only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usablefor storage of a computer program.

In one embodiment, a computer program is provided, and the program isembodied on a computer readable medium. In an exemplary embodiment, thesystem is executed on a single computer system, without requiring aconnection to a sever computer. In a further embodiment, the system isbeing run in a Windows® environment (Windows is a registered trademarkof Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington). In yet anotherembodiment, the system is run on a mainframe environment and a UNIX®server environment (UNIX is a registered trademark of X/Open CompanyLimited located in Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom). In a furtherembodiment, the system is run on an iOS® environment (iOS is aregistered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. located in San Jose, CA). Inyet a further embodiment, the system is run on a Mac OS® environment(Mac OS is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. located in Cupertino,CA). In still yet a further embodiment, the system is run on Android® OS(Android is a registered trademark of Google, Inc. of Mountain View,CA). In another embodiment, the system is run on Linux® OS (Linux is aregistered trademark of Linus Torvalds of Boston, MA). The applicationis flexible and designed to run in various different environmentswithout compromising any major functionality.

In some embodiments, the system includes multiple components distributedamong a plurality of computing devices. One or more components may be inthe form of computer-executable instructions embodied in acomputer-readable medium. The systems and processes are not limited tothe specific embodiments described herein. In addition, components ofeach system and each process can be practiced independent and separatefrom other components and processes described herein. Each component andprocess can also be used in combination with other assembly packages andprocesses.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and precededby the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralelements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.Furthermore, references to “example embodiment” or “one embodiment” ofthe present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excludingthe existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate therecited features.

The patent claims at the end of this document are not intended to beconstrued under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditionalmeans-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for”or “step for” language being expressly recited in the claim(s).

This written description uses examples to disclose the disclosure,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devicesor systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scopeof the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include otherexamples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples areintended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structuralelements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, orif they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantialdifferences from the literal language of the claims.

We claim:
 1. A computer system for instructing a user on repairing avehicle, the computer system including at least one processor incommunication with at least one memory device, the computer system incommunication with a user computer device associated with the user, theat least one processor is programmed to: receive, by the at least oneprocessor from the user, a request to repair a vehicle, includinginformation about the vehicle and one or more images of the vehicle;transmit, from the at least one processor to the user computer device, aplurality of instructions to cause a user interface of the user computerdevice to allow the user to search for a repair facility to repair thevehicle; receive, by the at least one processor from the user computerdevice via the user interface, a selection of a repair facility;automatically determine, by the processor, whether the selected repairfacility is a select service location, wherein a select service locationis a pre-authorized repair facility; if the selected repair facility isa select service location, the at least one processor is programmed to:retrieve, by the at least one processor, a calendar of appointments froma repair facility computer device associated with the selected repairfacility; receive, by the at least one processor via the user interface,a user selection of a date and time for an appointment; compare, by theat least one processor, the user selection of a date and time for theappointment to the calendar of appointments from the repair facilitycomputer device; determine, by the at least one processor, whether thereis a conflict based on the comparison; if there is a conflict, transmit,from the at least one processor to the user computer device, a suggestedtime based on the user selection and the calendar of appointments to bepresented to the user via the user interface; transfer the informationabout the vehicle, the selected date and time, and the one or moreimages of the vehicle to the repair facility computer device; andreceive, by the at least one processor, a confirmation of theappointment from the repair facility computer device; and if theselected repair facility is not a select service location, the at leastone processor is programmed to: request, by the at least one processorfrom the user computer device via the user interface, drivabilityinformation including whether or not the vehicle is able to be safelydriven; if the determination is that the vehicle is not able to besafely driven, schedule, by the at least one processor, a phone call tocontinue the repair process; and if the determination is that thevehicle is able to be safely driven, the at least one processor isfurther programmed to: transmit, by the at least one processor to theuser computer device via the user interface, instructions to display asearch interface to search for an inspection site; and receive, by theat least one processor from the user computer device via the userinterface, a selection of an inspection site.
 2. The computer system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:generate, by the at least one processor, a plurality of questions aboutcurrent conditions of the vehicle; transmit, from the at least oneprocessor to the user computer device, a plurality of instructions tocause the user interface of the user computer device to display theplurality of questions about the current conditions of the vehicle; andreceive, by the at least one processor from the user computer device viathe user interface of the user computer device, a plurality of answersabout the current conditions of the vehicle in response to the pluralityof questions.
 3. The computer system of claim 2, wherein the at leastone processor is further programmed to generate the plurality ofquestions about current conditions of the vehicle to include if a hoodof the vehicle opens and closes freely, if a trunk of the vehicle opensand closes freely, if doors of the vehicle open and close freely, if thevehicle appears to have any suspension damage, and if any fluids areleaking.
 4. The computer system of claim 2, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further programmed to transmit, from the at least oneprocessor to the user computer device, an electronic message includinginstructions to display a link to a user interface to be displayed onthe user computer device, wherein when the link is activated by the userthe link causes additional instructions to be transmitted to the usercomputer device to display the user interface to be presented to theuser of the user computer device.
 5. The computer system of claim 2,wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to: request, bythe at least one processor from the user computer device via the userinterface, the one or more images of the vehicle based on the pluralityof answers, wherein the request includes instructions for taking the oneor more images of the vehicle; and receive, by the at least oneprocessor from the user computer device via the user interface, the oneor more images of the vehicle captured by a camera of the user computerdevice.
 6. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further programmed to: if the selected repair facility isnot a select service location and if the determination is that thevehicle is able to be safely driven, the at least one processor isfurther programmed to: retrieve, by the at least one processor, acalendar of appointments from an inspection facility computer deviceassociated with the selected inspection facility; receive, by the atleast one processor via the user interface, a user selection of a dateand time for an appointment; present, by the at least one processor tothe user computer device via the user interface, a calendar to allow theuser to set an inspection appointment with the inspection site; anddetermine the inspection appointment based on user selections in theuser interface and appointment information from the inspection facilitycomputer device associated with the selected inspection site.
 7. Thecomputer system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor isfurther programmed to: receive, from the user computer device via theuser interface, a search request including a name of a repair facility;query one or more databases to recognize the repair facility based onthe name; if the name is recognized, retrieve, from one or moredatabases, facility information about the repair facility; determine,via the one or more databases, whether the repair facility is a selectservice location based on the facility information; and request that theuser reenter the name of the repair facility if the name is notrecognized.
 8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further programmed to: receive, from the user computerdevice via the user interface, a search location for a repair facility,wherein the search location includes at least one of an address, a zipcode, a municipality, and a present location of the user computerdevice; query, one or more databases, to determine a plurality of repairfacilities within a predetermined distance of the search location;filter the plurality of repair facilities to generate a subset of repairfacilities, wherein the subset of repair facilities are select servicelocations; present, to the user computer device via the user interface,the subset of repair facilities; and receive, from the user computerdevice via the user interface, a selection of one of the repairfacilities of the subset of repair facilities.
 9. The computer system ofclaim 1, wherein in response to the request to repair the vehicle, theat least one processor is further programmed to generate the link to theuser interface, wherein the link is transmitted to the user computerdevice in at least one of a short message service (SMS) message, amultimedia messaging server (MMS) message, and an email message.
 10. Thecomputer system of claim 1, wherein the information about the vehicleincludes one or more of a make of the vehicle, a model of the vehicle, ayear of the vehicle, a location of damage on the vehicle, identificationof the vehicle, identification of the user, and the one or more imagesof the vehicle.
 11. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the at leastone processor is further programmed to: store a model trained with alarge sample of repair and vehicle damage data; execute the model todetermine which repair facilities to present to the user; and generateinstructions to present the determined repair facilities based on themodel and user preferences.
 12. The computer system of claim 11, whereinthe at least one processor is further programmed to: execute the modelto analyze a plurality of information about current conditions of thevehicle and the one or more images of the vehicle to determine damagesto the vehicle; determine one or more repair facilities most capable ofperforming repairs to the damage to the vehicle; and transmit, to theuser computer device, one or more additional instructions to display thedetermined one or more repair facilities most capable of performingrepairs to the damages ahead of other repair facilities when presentedto the user.
 13. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the at leastone processor is further programmed to: execute the model to analyze aplurality of answers from a plurality of vehicles and a plurality ofselected repair facilities from a plurality of users; and determine oneor more repair facilities to qualify as select service locations basedon the executed model.
 14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein theat least one processor is further programmed to determine one or moreattributes that make a user more or less likely to choose a repairfacility based on the executed model.
 15. A computer-implemented methodfor instructing a user on repairing a vehicle, the method implemented ona repair assistant (“RA”) computer system including at least oneprocessor in communication with at least one memory device, the RAcomputer system further in communication with a user computer deviceassociated with the user, the method comprising: receiving, by the atleast one processor from the user, a request to repair a vehicle,including information about the vehicle and one or more images of thevehicle; transmitting, from the at least one processor to the usercomputer device, a plurality of instructions to cause a user interfaceof the user computer device to allow the user to search for a repairfacility to repair the vehicle; receiving, by the at least one processorfrom the user computer device via the user interface, a selection of arepair facility; automatically determining, by the processor, whetherthe selected repair facility is a select service location, wherein aselect service location is a pre-authorized repair facility; if theselected repair facility is a select service location, the methodcomprises: retrieving, by the at least one processor, a calendar ofappointments from a repair facility computer device associated with theselected repair facility; receiving, by the at least one processor viathe user interface, a user selection of a date and time for anappointment; comparing, by the at least one processor, the userselection of a date and time for the appointment to the calendar ofappointments from the repair facility computer device; determining, bythe at least one processor, whether there is a conflict based on thecomparison; if there is a conflict, transmitting, from the at least oneprocessor to the user computer device, a suggested time based on theuser selection and the calendar of appointments to be presented to theuser via the user interface; transferring the information about thevehicle, the selected date and time, and the one or more images of thevehicle to the repair facility computer device; and receiving, by the atleast one processor, a confirmation of the appointment from the repairfacility computer device; and if the selected repair facility is not aselect service location, the method comprises: requesting, by the atleast one processor from the user computer device via the userinterface, drivability information including whether or not the vehicleis able to be safely driven; if the determination is that the vehicle isnot able to be safely driven, scheduling, by the at least one processor,a phone call to continue the repair process; and if the determination isthat the vehicle is able to be safely driven, the method comprises:transmitting, by the at least one processor to the user computer devicevia the user interface, instructions to display a search interface tosearch for an inspection site; and receiving, by the at least oneprocessor from the user computer device via the user interface, aselection of an inspection site.
 16. The method of claim 15 furthercomprising: generating, by the at least one processor, a plurality ofquestions about current conditions of the vehicle; transmitting, fromthe at least one processor to the user computer device, a plurality ofinstructions to cause the user interface of the user computer device todisplay the plurality of questions about the current conditions of thevehicle; and receiving, by the at least one processor from the usercomputer device via the user interface of the user computer device, aplurality of answers about the current conditions of the vehicle inresponse to the plurality of questions.
 17. The method of claim 16further comprising transmitting, from the at least one processor to theuser computer device, an electronic message including instructions todisplay a link to a user interface to be displayed on the user computerdevice, wherein when the link is activated by the user the link causesadditional instructions to be transmitted to the user computer device todisplay the user interface to be presented to the user of the usercomputer device.
 18. The method of claim 16 further comprising:requesting, by the at least one processor from the user computer devicevia the user interface, the one or more images of the vehicle based onthe plurality of answers, wherein the request includes instructions fortaking the one or more images of the vehicle; and receiving, by the atleast one processor from the user computer device via the userinterface, the one or more images of the vehicle captured by a camera ofthe user computer device.
 19. The method of claim 15 further comprising:if the selected repair facility is not a select service location and ifthe determination is that the vehicle is able to be safely driven, themethod further comprises: retrieving, by the at least one processor, acalendar of appointments from an inspection facility computer deviceassociated with the selected inspection facility; receiving, by the atleast one processor via the user interface, a user selection of a dateand time for an appointment; presenting, by the at least one processorto the user computer device via the user interface, a calendar to allowthe user to set an inspection appointment with the inspection site; anddetermining the inspection appointment based on user selections in theuser interface and appointment information from the inspection facilitycomputer device associated with the selected inspection site.
 20. Themethod of claim 15 further comprising: receiving, from the user computerdevice via the user interface, a search request including a name of arepair facility; querying one or more databases to recognize the repairfacility based on the name; if the name is recognized, retrieving, fromthe one or more databases, facility information about the repairfacility; determining, via the one or more databases, whether the repairfacility is a select service location based on the facility information;and requesting that the user reenter the name of the repair facility ifthe name is not recognized.
 21. The method of claim 15 furthercomprising: receiving, from the user computer device via the userinterface, a search location for a repair facility, wherein the searchlocation includes at least one of an address, a zip code, amunicipality, and a present location of the user computer device;querying, one or more databases, to determine a plurality of repairfacilities within a predetermined distance of the search location;filtering the plurality of repair facilities to generate a subset ofrepair facilities, wherein the subset of repair facilities are selectservice locations; presenting, to the user computer device via the userinterface, the subset of repair facilities; and receiving, from the usercomputer device via the user interface, a selection of one of the repairfacilities of the subset of repair facilities.
 22. The method of claim15, wherein in response to the request to repair the vehicle, the methodfurther comprises generating the link to the user interface, wherein thelink is transmitted to the user computer device in at least one of ashort message service (SMS) message, a multimedia messaging server (MMS)message, and an email message.
 23. The method of claim 15, wherein theinformation about the vehicle includes one or more of a make of thevehicle, a model of the vehicle, a year of the vehicle, a location ofdamage on the vehicle, identification of the vehicle, identification ofthe user, and the one or more images of the vehicle.
 24. At least onenon-transitory computer-readable storage media havingcomputer-executable instructions embodied thereon, wherein when executedby at least one processor in communication with at least one memorydevice and a user computer device associated with a user, thecomputer-executable instructions cause the processor to: receive, by theat least one processor from the user, a request to repair a vehicle,including information about the vehicle and one or more images of thevehicle; transmit, from the at least one processor to the user computerdevice, a plurality of instructions to cause a user interface of theuser computer device to allow the user to search for a repair facilityto repair the vehicle; receive, by the at least one processor from theuser computer device via the user interface, a selection of a repairfacility; automatically determine, by the processor, whether theselected repair facility is a select service location, wherein a selectservice location is a pre-authorized repair facility; if the selectedrepair facility is a select service location, the at least one processoris programmed to: retrieve, by the at least one processor, a calendar ofappointments from a repair facility computer device associated with theselected repair facility; receive, by the at least one processor via theuser interface, a user selection of a date and time for an appointment;compare, by the at least one processor, the user selection of a date andtime for the appointment to the calendar of appointments from the repairfacility computer device; determine, by the at least one processor,whether there is a conflict based on the comparison; if there is aconflict, transmit, from the at least one processor to the user computerdevice, a suggested time based on the user selection and the calendar ofappointments to be presented to the user via the user interface;transfer the information about the vehicle, the selected date and time,and the one or more images of the vehicle to the repair facilitycomputer device; and receive, by the at least one processor, aconfirmation of the appointment from the repair facility computerdevice; and if the selected repair facility is not a select servicelocation, the at least one processor is programmed to: request, by theat least one processor from the user computer device via the userinterface, drivability information including whether or not the vehicleis able to be safely driven; if the determination is that the vehicle isnot able to be safely driven, schedule, by the at least one processor, aphone call to continue the repair process; and if the determination isthat the vehicle is able to be safely driven, the at least one processoris further programmed to: transmit, by the at least one processor to theuser computer device via the user interface, instructions to display asearch interface to search for an inspection site; and receive, by theat least one processor from the user computer device via the userinterface, a selection of an inspection site.